Effects of Livestock Grazing on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen and Microbial Biomass in some Reference Pastures of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiyari Province

Livestock grazing may directly and indirectly make changes in plant cover and soil properties, with a consequence for alterations in soil microbial activity, growth and biomass. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of pasture management (grazing and ungrazing) on soil N and C contents, and the amounts of microbial biomass C and N in the natural pastures of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiyari province. Three managerial regimes including: a) long-term ungrazed, b) controlled grazed and c) free (over) grazed in close vicinity were selected at three sites including SabzKouh (grazing- protected for 18 years), Boroujen (grazing-protected for 23 years) and Sheida (grazing-protected for 2 years). Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth and organic C, total N and microbial biomass C and N were measured under standard conditions. Results showed that SabzKouh and Sheida sites had the highest (14.6 mg g-1) and the lowest (4.80 mg g-1) soil C stocks, respectively. Soil N and C contents at SabzKouh were significantly higher when compared to the other sites, probably due to more rainfall and humid climate. The amount of microbial biomass was significantly higher (366%) in ungrazed than grazed soils at SabzKouh, while at Sheida the light grazing pasture had a greater soil microbial biomass, and no change was found at Boroujen site. In brief, degraded pastures at SabzKouh and Boroujen seem to recover rather quickly from the long-term overgrazing with a proper management, while pasture ecosystems at Sheida site with cropping history need a much longer period for steady-state conditions and for improvements in soil quality and fertility after long-term soil degradation and disturbance.